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For the Adults: For those of you who were at the camp retreat and would like more information on Spiritual Practices, check out the link below. It’s on a wiki (for those of you who know what that is) so you can edit and add comments, etc. Feel free to contribute your thoughts, questions. Spiritual Practice Wiki Link
When you read the Bible, do you ever get to a point that is confusing or just plain impossible to understand? That’s normal. You’re reading a document that was finished being written 2000 years ago. When you get to the place where you stop and go, “what the heck?” That’s just an opportunity to have a WOW moment.
Often times the Bible suggests behavior that is so contrary to our own, or to the expectations of the culture that is all around us, that we just don’t understand what we’re reading. When you come to a place like that, stop. Ask questions. Let me give you an example:
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 (NLT)
Here’s a good conversation to have with yourself: Why is Jesus talking about a whole tree (that’s a big statement) being jammed in my eye? Why don’t I get the speck and my friend gets the big pine in the eye? Did Jesus just call me a hypocrite? Does Jesus hate trees?
OK, this section deals with judgment (I know this because it says so in the header). When I notice something about someone else, I typically want to point out what I’ve noticed. Even if it only makes me look good. Jesus has said that that little speck that I’ve noticed is 1000 times smaller than what other people notice about me when they look at me. Perhaps I’d better focus on my own problems, instead of the problems of others. If I manage to get rid of the tree in my without permanent retinal damage, then perhaps I’ll be able to see what’s going on with my friend more clearly. Then, I won’t be judging them…I’ll be loving them. WOW!
For several weeks I have touted the new NLT LIVE Bible as a rockin’ Bible for teens. If you would like to order one, I will extend this offer to COTMYouth only: Leatherbound (black or red) with sticker for $30 or Paperback with poster and stickers for $15. I’d like to order before Wednesday so let me know. Get the word around so we can take them to Family Camp next weekend!
The NLT is a suitable translation for story. It is not a super duper theological work, but you will move through the stories with ease, grasping the main points and nuances. The Bible also comes with cool extras for teens.
Check it out here, if you want more info. And you can see it here.
Place your order here (don’t forget to note color if you want leatherbound).
I just watched the new FOX show, FRINGE. It’s from the fine people who brought you LOST and XFILES (I think). So, here is the first internet assignment. I want you to watch the Pilot Episode online and then spend some time reflecting on the questions below. Let your mind wander. Be creative. Anytime a TV Show goes down the road of Secret Government Agency deals with Secret Supernatural Conspiracy, you have this cosmic battle between power that we understand versus power that we do not understand.
What could be more Biblical? That’s exactly what Jesus was in the face of the Roman Empire (except he wasn’t the enemy chemical compound that was melting people). It was just the opposite!
This show contains some mature situations, so get parental approval before watching or watch it together. It’s about an hour and twenty minutes so grab a high speed connection and settle in! Watch NOW!
Questions:
1. Where does love and romance fit in a supernatural thriller? What role do those kind of emotions play in the story? How does love complicate the situations in our lives?
2. Jesus told his disciples, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love (John 15:9-10).” Is this kind of love complicated? What does loving Jesus look like in this verse? How does that kind of love look like in your life??
One of the major themes of the episode is Technocracy, “A form of government in which scientists and technical experts are in control; “technocracy is described as that society in which those who govern justify themselves by appeal to technical experts who justify themselves by appeal to scientific forms of knowledge (WKPD).”
3. Are we as a culture moving towards a technocracy? What informs you answer? Where do you see technology taking control? OR What do you see keeping technology under control?
4. How do you view the relationship between power and technology? Are there any current situations that support your opinion?
5. Where does love factor into the relationship between power and technology? What does love look like in a world like that?
In FRINGE, the major conspiracy is called “The Pattern.” The Pattern is a system of scientific experiments that interfere with people and the world.
6. What happens when science and technology advance so far that we no longer have the power to control them? Who has control?
7. What might that look like to you? Draw a picture. Write a poem, story, dramatic scene, or the next great American novel about it ; )
8. What does “The Pattern” indicate about science? God’s Creation? The hearts of those who see to master science and creation?
Psalm 24 begins, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation ont he seas and built it on the ocean’s depths.”
9. Do you think that science can one day master creation?
The Book of Revelation draws to an end describing the world at the time when God resumes his full reign on earth. Chapter 21 is a dramatic picture of what looks like the opposite of technocracy.
As a Christian what is your response to the story of FRINGE? What is your response to Revelation 21?
Share what you have discovered or any questions you may have.
Here’s a website you should know about…pop and lock, baby!
This is also a cool new website where some of the coolest pastor/worship/church people are contributors. Read an article and tell me about it. There is a particular pastor using Twitter in a very creative way. How can we use Twitter or some other web technology creatively like that?
I hope all had a great time last night @ Wednesday Nite LIVE — “it’s better than pie!” Wednesdays are only going to get better and better and better!
Thanks for coming and helping to make the night a great success for the family @ Church of the Master. Mark it off on your calendar this is going to be a blast.Next week, we’ll be starting “Heart of a Champion.” This four week series focuses on expanding your heart for God and others. Week 1 is “Developing a Heart for Others.” Of course, there will be games and fun. Bring a friend!
NEXT WEEK there will also be a contest to win the LIVE NLT Bible from Group Publishers. I’ve shown this Bible around for weeks now and next week is your opportunity to have it for your very own!
Coming in October: Faith with Fangs! We’ll take a look at a Christian Life with TEETH. This promises to be a relevant primer for our faith (and Halloween). Building on the wildly popular Twilight series and incorporating some of Hollywood’s most famous entertaining monster legends, October will definitely leave a mark!
Some links to check out:Habbo Hotel - we have a room ready for you to chat!
Once on Habbo, go to room: cotmchilloutzone / pwd: 316militia
get your TWITTER on
good fun here and here
It’s time to talk Citadels…who’s talking?
Wednesday Nights are here!
This Wednesday, Sept 3, we are kicking off our 08-09 year together.
The night begins at 5:30 and this is what it looks like:
5:30 - Food and Fellowship in Memorial Hall
6:00 - Worship in the Sanctuary
6:30 - Youth Meeting (we probably need a name!)
We are going to play some games, have some fun, talk about God’s Word, chill out max, color pictures of Antarctic wildlife and chew tin foil. Plan to be done around 7:45…
For September, we will talk about the Heart of Champion: Expanding Your Heart for God and Others.
Click Here to get a peek at our October study.
Why do you myspace and not facebook?
Do you do both?
What other forms of social networks do you frequent?
Chime in here!
Here’s part two of the Old Testament lesson. We’re moving towards looking at the book of Ruth (actual lesson material and NOT me talk talk talking!)
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